Highlights Report

ARCTIC HEALTH RESEARCH NETWORK-YUKON

HIGHLIGHTS REPORT

2007 – 2011

Authors: Jody Butler Walker, Norma Kassi, Katelyn Friendship, Bree Blottner, Marilyn Van Bibber Photo Credits: AHRN-YT team

Suggested citation: Butler Walker, J., N. Kassi, K. Friendship, B. Blottner, M. Van Bibber. 2011. Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon Highlights Report 2007-2011. Whitehorse, Yukon. 54 pgs.

ISBN 978-0-9809736-5-5

For more information, please visit our website: www.arctichealthyukon.ca

#209 Ð 100 Main Street Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 2A7 Canada Tel: (867) 668-3393

Table of Contents

Executive Summary…………………………………………………....6 Current Projects………………………………………………………...7 Funders………………………………………………………………….8 Background to the Arctic Health Research Network.……………....9 Who We Are.……………………………………………………….....13 How We Operate.………………………………………….……...... 17 What We Do: Yukon-based Actions and Activities.....….……...... 21 Publications.………………………………………………………...... 33 Who We’ve Worked With.………….………….………………….….35 Next Steps..…………………………………………………………....39 AHRN-YT Biographies..……………………………………………....41

Welcome!

It is our pleasure to welcome you to this summary of activities of the Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon (AHRN-YT) from when it was established in February 2007 until the Fall of 2011. Our organization has grown and evolved since we began to better meet the research needs of northern communities. In response, AHRN-YT is now transitioning into the Arctic Institute for Community-Based Research: For Northern Health and Well-Being (AICBR). We would be pleased to provide additional information on any of our projects, and invite you to visit our website (www.arctichealthyukon.ca).

Sincerely,

Jody Butler Walker Marilyn Van Bibber Executive Director Associate Director

Bree Blottner Katelyn Friendship Director of Operations Research Associate

Special Note

AHRN-YT also acknowledges the fundamental contributions of our co-founder, current Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Chief Norma Kassi (2006-2010) for her invaluable work in the development of this organization.

Executive Summary

This Highlights Report summarizes the activities and projects that the Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon has led, initiated or participated in over the past nearly 5 years. We have done our best to be responsive to specific community health priorities, particularly those identified by and with Yukon First Nation communities, to be as inclusive as possible, and to seek opportunities to bring resources into the Yukon to contribute to collaboratively moving forward with these and other health-related priorities.

Along the way, we have developed partnerships that we will continue to work with, both within and outside the Yukon, including other Northern jurisdictions in Canada and the circumpolar North, as well as those at academic institutions in Canada and elsewhere. We also welcome new partnerships as we continue to grow in response to health-related issues in northern communities.

The projects and activities summarized here have been developed and implemented with the participation of many others, whose contributions we acknowledge with sincere appreciation and the hope that they have benefitted both directly and indirectly by these collaborative efforts.

Current Projects (2010-2011)

• Working together to Achieve Healthier Weights in Yukon Communities: This project is in partnership with Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Selkirk First Nation, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Recreation and Parks Association of Yukon, and Yukon Government Health and Social Department to find common pathways to northern health and well-being (2010/2011). All Yukon communities are invited to contribute to the proposal for the next phase of this project, which may be for up to 4 years. • Climate Change and Food Security in Old Crow: This was a three-year food security and climate change initiative involving youth researchers, which is now coming to an end. The project was initiated by the Vuntut Gwitchin citizens in Old Crow, who invited AHRN-YT to work with them in response to their concerns about changes to their traditional harvesting and hunting areas, and changes in the distribution and abundance of several traditional food species. (2008-2011) • Our Changing Homelands Our Changing Lives: AHRN-YT facilitated the production of the award winning ‘Our Changing Homelands, Our Changing Lives’ film that explores the effects of climate change on the traditional lifestyle of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nations of Old Crow. (2009-2011) • Assisting Teslin Tlingit Council with their project Teslin Food Security and Climate Change: Similar to the Old Crow project, this initiative worked on investigating food security issues in the community by youth researchers, and was also a capacity building initiative in which we were contracted by the Teslin Tlingit Council to assist them with their own research initiative. (2009-2011) • Old Crow H. pylori Prevalence study: AHRN-YT has been working at the invitation of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and the University of Alberta to contribute to coordination of the Helicobacter pylori prevalence study. (2010-2011) • Coordinated and Hosted an Evaluation Training Workshop (March, 2011) • Coordinated and hosted a Knowledge Translation Workshop (March 2011)

Funders

The work of the Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon has been supported by the following funders, to whom we extend our sincere appreciation:

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research Ð Meeting Planning Dissemination Grant: First Nations, Inuit and Métis Ethics and Review

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research Ð Team Grant “Averting Chronic Diseases in Northern Populations” (2006-2011) (Yukon PI Ð JBW)

• Public Health Agency of Canada Ð Innovation Strategy Phase 1

• Health Canada -Climate Change and Health Adaptation in the North -Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Division

• Tri-Territorial Health Access Fund

• Yukon Workers Compensation Health and Safety Board

• National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health

• Kloshe Tillicum (Network Environment for Aboriginal Research-BC)

• Tides Foundation (San Francisco, USA)

• Canadian North Helicobacter pylori (CANHelp) Working Group; Community H. pylori Projects/ University of Alberta

• SSHRC- Social Economy Research Network of Northern Canada/ University Of Saskatchewan

Background to the Arctic Health Research Network

Tri-territorial Initiative

Arctic Health Research Network (AHRN) began in 2005/2006 as the first Canadian tri- territorial health research network linking northern regions. The network includes health research centers based in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

The need for a tri-territorial health research network to link Yukon (YT), Nunavut (NU), and the Northwest Territories (NWT) was identified during the development of a research proposal called Averting Chronic Diseases in Northern Canada in 2005. The principal investigator of the proposal, Dr. Kue Young from the University of Toronto, had been investigating chronic diseases in Southern Canadian aboriginal populations for some time. His vision was to use the knowledge he’d gained to benefit aboriginal and non-aboriginal populations in Northern Canada particularly in relation to diabetes, to build health research capacity in Northern Canada, and to work on this initiative with other circumpolar countries. The 5-year proposal was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and began in 2006. It provided seed funding to initiate the development of the tri-territorial network. Each Territory has used their regional seed funding to develop partnerships and projects that are responsive to regional priorities and issues.

While the three organizations have evolved and grown in response to their territory’s priorities over the last few years, we continue to collaborate and partner with the network organizations. We also work with all Yukon communities, including Yukon First Nations communities, as well as non-government and government agencies and researchers from Canada and elsewhere.

Territorial-specific Focus

VISION The VISION of the Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon is the meaningful engagement of Northerners in health research focused on Northern health priorities, with results contributing to lasting health improvements. Inherent in this Vision is the dissemination of research results, the training of community-based health researchers, and the translation of knowledge to ensure transfer of results to inform the development of Northern health-related policies and programs.

MISSION The MISSION of Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon (AHRN-YT) is to facilitate and promote community-based, Northern-led health research activities aimed at improving the health of Yukon First Nations and non-First Nations residents, and to collaborate with other Northern and circumpolar health jurisdictions. AHRN-YT continues to build relationships with Yukon communities and uphold the ethics and principles of community-based research. AHRN-YT will engage in research activities only upon the invitation of a Yukon First Nations government or community.

FOCUS Community Health AHRN-YT was registered as a non-profit society in 2007. The Yukon Public Health Association (YPHA) led the preliminary work towards the creation of AHRN-YT, and continues to play an important role in the ongoing development of AHRN-YT as an active member of the Board. It is important that community-based health research be situated within a larger public health context, and we will continue to seek opportunities to collaborate with the YPHA.

Yukon First Nations Through the guidance and direction of the Yukon First Nations’ Health & Social Commission, we have developed an understanding about some of their community health priorities, which has helped us to focus on seeking funds and develop projects to contribute to these topics so our efforts could make a useful contribution. We have also worked closely with the Council of Yukon First Nations.

Ongoing Collaboration As well, we continue to have ongoing discussions with others, both inside and outside the Yukon, as we work to create a common understanding of what is needed to facilitate the capacity to engage in health-related research that is relevant, timely and participatory.

Who We Are

Board Constitution

The AHRN-YT Constitution

To create a community driven, northern lead, health and wellness research unit that will facilitate the identification of, and appropriate activities related to, health research priorities in the Yukon;

To create, in collaboration with the NWT and Nunavut, a tri-territorial community driven, northern lead, health and wellness research network that will facilitate the identification of, and appropriate activities related to, health research priorities in the North;

To develop strong partnerships with communities and northern organizations to establish and prioritize research based on the health needs of the Yukon population;

To identify necessary partnerships, funding agencies, research institutes and data sources;

To promote and engage in best practices for health surveillance;

To serve as a resource centre for health research activities;

To serve as a link to health and wellness research activities from small exploratory projects to international multi-centre research initiatives;

To establish partnerships with universities and colleges to build community- based health research capacity and knowledge;

To seek opportunities for partnerships in health research with a focus on Aboriginal health issues;

To promote understanding in traditional knowledge and western science as applied to health research;

To promote the development of research skills and opportunities in the Yukon;

To liaise with other organizations to promote the mandate of AHRN-YT, and

To develop, apply and promote ethical guidelines for best practices in northern health research.

Governance

The AHRN-YT Board of Directors consists of: 1 representative from the Council of Yukon First Nations 1 representative from the Yukon Public Health Association 1 representative from Yukon College 1-3 health practitioners 1 youth representative

AHRN-YT Staff

In 2011, the AHRN-YT staff consists of: Jody Butler Walker (Executive Director) Marilyn Van Bibber (Associate Director) Bree Blottner (Director of Operations) Katelyn Friendship (Research Associate) Andrew Robulack (Technical Solutions Consultant)

AHRN-YT Team

We are very fortunate to work with a number of skilled individuals and consultants in the Yukon whose contributions have been invaluable to date, and who we look forward to working with in the future.

How We Operate

Key Elements of Community-Based Research with Yukon First Nations

AHRN-YT worked with the Yukon First Nations’ Health & Social Commission to:

Develop common understanding about key elements of community-based research practices.

Key elements of community-based research (as identified by the Yukon First Nations’ Health & Social Commission) Is driven by community priorities; Includes community members in all stages;

Adheres to local First Nation and other government protocols;

Upholds the principles of OCAP (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession);

Occurs in a holistic context;

Benefits the community (data & funding); Identify Includeskey issues a strong at the communication community level plan that; and research can contribute to improving.

Influences community/First Nations’ government’s health policies.

Lack of capacity was a crosscutting theme between these specific issues, particularly for Yukon First Nations front-line health resource workers. Building capacity at the community level became an important priority for AHRN-YT.

The top health priorities (not in a specific order) identified by the Yukon First Nations’ Health & Social Commission include:

Residential Food Substance Injury Diabetes Depression School Security Use Prevention Trauma

Ethics

An ethical approach that is grounded in the principles of northern First Nations culture is an important aspect of AHRN-YT's approach to research, projects, and people. In an ongoing effort refine and reinforce its ethical standards, AHRN-YT has been and continues to be involved in efforts and events such as the following:

Ethics Consulted with communities to contribute to a shared understanding about what the key elements are for the ethical conduct of community-based health research in the Yukon. Developed in partnership with the Yukon First Nations’ Health & Social Commission a guide booklet “Doing Good Research: A guide for research review in Yukon First Nations communities”. Conducted a literature review to develop the 15 Articles of the CIHR Guidelines for Health Research Involving Aboriginal Peoples using peer-reviewed, primary literature. Worked with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut to synthesize ethics-related processes and agencies North of 60¼, and participated in a Tri-Territorial Ethics meeting in Iqaluit to develop a framework for a Northern Ethical Review process.

Norma Kassi, Dr. Chris Lalonde, Dr. Budd Hall, Jody Butler Walker & Marilyn Van Bibber at an Ethics Workshop at the University of Victoria in September 2007.

Knowledge Translation

AHRN-YT works towards building health research capacity in the North. Ensuring that research findings are relevant to northerners is a part of this undertaking. AHRN-YT works to identify and use promising practices of knowledge translation (KT) as they relate to key audiences in the North: Indigenous communities, the public at-large, health practitioners, policy-makers and program planners. The North needs particular attention in terms of identifying and developing KT practices to suit its particular geographical, organizational, cultural, and demographic characteristics. The following projects have been completed to contribute to our knowledge translation work:

1. Clark, G. 2008. Promising Practices in Knowledge Translation for Research Users: A review of the Literature. Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon (unpublished report).

2. Butler Walker, J., & Kassi, N. 2008. Knowledge Synthesis and Translation Workshop Report. Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon and National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health.

3. Food Security Policy Brief -Based on the results of the knowledge translation literature review (2008) and a literature review on food security (2008), we produced a policy brief targeted at policy-makers about Food Security in the North, which can be found on our website.

4. Butler Walker, J., N. Kassi, S. Jackson, L. Duncan, K. Minich, D. Abbott, S. Duke. 2008. Yukon First Nations Health Promotion Spring School Report and DVD. 40 pp. Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon. ISBN 978-0-9809736-0-0.

5. Salmon, L., Eskes, J., Butler Walker, J., Kassi, N., Duke, S., Cochrane, K., Roy, R., Dykstra. Council of Yukon First Nations, University of Toronto. 2008. Do-It-Yourself: Diabetes Prevention Activities ~ A Manual for Everyone. 38 pp. ISBN 978-0-9809736-1-7.

6. Kassi, N., Friendship, K., Butler Walker, J. 2010. Vuntut Gwitchin Climate Change and Health Research in Northern Yukon: What do our Changing Homelands mean for our Health? Phase 2: Knowledge into Action. 24 pp

7. Our Changing Homelands Our Changing Lives. 2010.

DVD documenting the impacts of climate change on traditional food and practices of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation. ISBN 978-0-9809736-4-8

8. Knowledge Translation Workshop: Evidence-Informed Decision-Making in Public Health, facilitated by the National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (2011).

What We Do: Strategies and Activities for Yukon First Nation

Community Health Priorities

Actions and activities have been based on these identified health priorities, which incorporate capacity building as common theme:

Residential Food Substance Injury Diabetes Depression School Security Use Prevention Trauma

Capacity Building

AHRN-YT is committed to capacity building as a foundational approach in all aspects of our work. Capacity building has many different definitions and interpretations. Capacity is “the actual knowledge, skill sets, participation, leadership and resources required by community groups to effectively address local issues and concerns”1. By building capacity through the development of skills and the building of resources, the sustainability and effectiveness of an organization and its partners are increased. Collaboration and partnerships are an essential element of capacity building and it is through a “bottom-up” or grassroots, community-based approach that building capacity can: • Develop sound infrastructures • Maintain and sustain programs • Solve ongoing problems • Contribute to efficiency and effectiveness1 Other key principles for capacity building are rooted in a community-based foundation and include: Trust and relationship building; Adaptability and flexibility; Inclusivity of local context; and Collaboration and partnership.

Capacity Building

Practitioner Food Injury Capacity Diabetes Security Prevention Building

Substance Residential Use Depression School Trauma

1 Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse. (2002). Capacity Building for Health Promotion: More Than Bricks and Mortar. OPC, Spring. Toronto, Canada. Pg. 1-4.

1. Yukon First Nations Health Promotion & Planning Spring School 2007

Facilitated by Dr. Suzanne Jackson, Director of the Health Promotion Centre at the University of Toronto and co-hosted by the Council of Yukon First Nations, Yukon College and AHRN- YT, the training course brought together 23 First Nation health resource workers from across the Yukon to focus on health issues of priority at the community level (diabetes, depression, substance use, residential school trauma, food security). Participants worked through a 6- step process to develop community action plans for each of these priority issues.

Within 2 months of the course completion, 3 First Nations communities had invited the Diabetes Educator from the course into their communities to teach about diabetes prevention, and another course participant successfully applied for 3 years of funding for an urban aboriginal diabetes prevention initiative.

Yukon First Nations Health Promotion Spring School ’07 participants The report and DVD summarizing this work have been widely distributed and well received, and are available on our website.

2. Yukon First Nations Community Health Fall School 2008

A second course was held in the fall of 2008 at the recommendation of the Yukon First Nations Health & Social Commission. Altogether 31 front-line health resource workers from across the Yukon participated in the course. In addition to the above health priorities, injury prevention was added to the second course. We have recently synthesized both ‘Spring School’ and ‘Fall School’ results along with work we’ve done to follow up on recommendations for actions that emerged from the training sessions, and are currently seeking funding to print the summary report.

Dr. Kue Young joins the circle during the Community Health Fall School.

“This letter is in support of partnering with the Arctic Health Research Network (AHRN) and the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) Health & Social Development Department to endorse the proposal for having a “Fall School” session. The “Spring School” session was supported in previous years and was considered a great success. The two major outcomes of the “Spring School” were the increased capacity building and enhanced knowledge translation for the participating persons and their communities.” Grand Chief Andy Carvill, Council of Yukon First Nations. 29 July 2008.

3. Scholarships

From 2007 Ð 2010/2011 we partnered with Yukon College to offer an Award for Northern Health Research. Funding for this award ($17K for Master’s student $21.5K for a Ph.D student) came from the CIHR Team Grant through Dr. Kue Young, and was available in each of the 3 Territories annually until the completion of the grant (2011). In the Yukon, awards were given to 4 Masters students and 1 Ph.D student through an adjudicated process.

“This scholarship will contribute to building health research capacity in the Yukon with our northern graduate students, and it will show how northern capacity can serve our own needs.” Dr. Terry Weninger, President of Yukon College. (press release Aug. 07)

Practitioner Capacity Building

4. Writers Retreat

The primary literature about community-based research (CBR) is extremely lacking in contributions from practitioners’ perspectives as members of research teams. Accordingly, in May 2008, AHRN-YT initiated a pilot Writers Retreat to explore how we can contribute to ‘giving voice’ to this important perspective of CBR. At this stage, three graduate students have piloted the retreat separately and evaluated it. All have said it provided a unique and very valuable opportunity to focus on writing, and highly recommended that we continue it, both for graduate students and others. To date, each writer has stayed for 2-3 weeks in a cabin at Eagle Landing Bed and Breakfast in Carcross, Yukon. Each one was responsible for their travel costs to Whitehorse/Carcross, and AHRN-YT covered their costs for accommodation (which included wood and water) and food. The cabin is also equipped with high speed Internet, for the best of both worlds!

We will continue to seek ways to develop this opportunity as part of our contribution to improving the understanding of the roles that health practitioners play in the development and implementation of CBR in the North.

Diabetes

1. Diabetes Resource Guide (3rd edition) We contributed to reprinting costs.

2. DIY Diabetes Prevention Activities ~ A Manual for Everyone (www.yukondiabetes.ca) 2008. Reprinted 2010.

We wrote proposals to fund the development and production of this Manual. A community- based diabetes teaching manual was a recommendation that came from the Health Promotion Planning Spring School in 2007.

3. Vuntut Gwitchin Youth Diabetes Workshop, Old Crow (January, 2009)

4. Book Chapter: Butler Walker, J., Salmon, L., Eskes, J., Duke, S., Duncan, L., Cochrane, K. (2010). The learner becomes the teacher: A community-based diabetes prevention-training programme for First Nations health workers in Northern Canada. In P. Schwarz, Reddy, P., Greaves, C., Dunbar, J., Schwarz, J. (eds.) Diabetes Prevention in Practice. Dresden: 6th World Congress on the Prevention of Diabetes, TUMAINI Institute for Prevention Management. pp. 95-107.

Vuntut Gwitchin Youth Diabetes Workshop, Old Crow (Jan. 2009)

First the youth learned about Diabetes, and then they taught others in their community.

Food Security

1. Butler Walker, J., Kassi, N., & Eamer, C. 2009. Food Security in Times of Change: A Policy Brief on Food Security for Northern Canada. Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon. 12 pp. (on our website)

2. Climate Change, Food Security and Health Research

The “Vuntut Gwitchin Climate Change and Health Research in Northern Yukon” project was a three-year food security and climate change initiative that began in Old Crow Yukon in 2008. The project was initiated by Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN) citizens in Old Crow, who invited AHRN-YT to work with them in response to their concerns about changes to their traditional harvesting and hunting areas, and changes in the distribution and abundance of several traditional food species. During the first year of the project we partnered with the Library at Yukon College to have the Reference Librarian train Vuntut Gwitchin youth attending high school in Whitehorse on how to search for and evaluate information about climate change, health, and food security on the Internet. We prepared a Resource Binder for each student that had background information and websites they could also use to develop their understanding of these topics. In January 2009, in Old Crow, we hosted a gathering where the youth actively participated with the community in various climate change workshops with International Polar Year researchers to learn about environmental changes in the Old Crow area. From this gathering, there was a strong recommendation from the youth and the rest of the community that the research continue, and so AHRN-YT and VGFN developed a proposal for Health Canada and received funding to continue the work. This involved research focused on learning what food security adaptation strategies the community has been doing and could do in the future to help adapt to climate change. This phase involved training youth to develop their researching skills and three youth interviewed over 30 members of their community. In addition, four youth were trained in film production and they developed their own trailers about food security in their community, which they posted on YouTube.

“It is imperative at this time of adverse changes to our entire being as a peoples, that we engage the youth in every aspect of education of our ways of cultural survival and adaptation strategies, so that upon adulthood they will hold the tools that will be of most importance to continue forward.” Norma Kassi; AHRN-Y (former Associate Director)

The third year of the project (2010-2011) was focused on clarifying recommendations and to begin implementation plans. There were strong recommendations from the community of Old Crow to immediately begin implementing food security adaptation options to cope with the rapidly changing climate and environment. Following a community-based research framework, the research for 2010-2011 focused on assisting and facilitating the community in determining how Old Crow could implement their recommendations from the second year (2009-2010) and put them into action in order to address food security issues.

(Photos: Diabetes workshop; Tree-ring workshop, Elder Fannie Charlie, Youth games; Fiddling and jigging; Circle talk with 65 community members and researchers; Furs workshop; Tree-ring workshop; Researchers gathering)

3. Film Production: Our Changing Lives Our Changing Homelands

The Old Crow project has also included the production of an award winning film documentary that has been produced to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change to the Vuntut Gwitchin. The 26-minute film entitled Our Changing Homelands Our Changing Lives spans 15 years of footage and documents the impacts that climate change is having on Vuntut Gwitchin people’s food security and livelihoods. The film captures traditional knowledge practices in relation to healthy living and traditional food options as described by Elders and community members. This film will contribute to informing the world about the challenges that the community is facing because of climate change, and has been widely distributed and well received.

Please contact us if you are interested in a copy of this DVD.

4. Friendship, K. (2009). Climate Change and Food Security in the North: A Literature Review. Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon.(unpublished report)

5. Cross-border Food Security

In partnership with the University of Saskatchewan and the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, AHRN-YT contributed to an investigation of the social and political dimensions of food security in the Gwitchin Nation, which is divided legally and physically by the US/Canada border (2010).

Injury Prevention

1. Injury Prevention Workshop (2008)

Brought injury researchers from Tromso, Norway and British Columbia together with students in the Licensed Practical Nursing program at Yukon College, non-governmental and government agencies and health practitioners to learn about the burden of injuries and prevention strategies.

2. Falls Prevention (2009)

Strategic Activities for Independent Living (SAIL) Checklist document that was produced by Dr. Vicky Scott from the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit was adapted by Yukon First Nation front line workers in 2009, with Dr. Scott and in partnership with the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. The ‘Yukon First Nations Version’ of the Checklist was then shared with the Yukon Government Dept. of Health & Social Services’ Home Care Program, which facilitated physio and occupational therapists working together with Home & Community Coordinators in rural First Nations communities using a common resource.

3. Yukon Injury Prevention Partnership Communications Strategy

Currently being developed.

4. Assembly of First Nations National Injury Prevention Committee member (2007-2011)

Jody Butler Walker appointed by Yukon First Nations leadership.

5. Yukon First Nations Community-Based Injury Prevention Summary (2010). Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon and the Council of Yukon First Nations. Yukon First Nations Community-Based Injury Prevention Summary Report. 152 pages + 2 CDs. Produced on contract to CYFN’s Aboriginal Health Transition Fund.

6. Injury Prevention ÐInventory of Selected Resources in Canada

Currently being finalized.

7. Journey to the Teachings

We distributed 67 copies of this resource binder to communities and agencies across the Yukon, and facilitated training for 23 Yukon First Nations front line workers to deliver injury prevention workshops in their communities. The resource was produced by Health Canada as a culturally informed approach to injury prevention with Indigenous peoples in Canada. Ten Yukon First Nations communities used the training to develop and implement projects responsive to their communities’ injury priorities.

8. Safe Communities Whitehorse Priority Setting Exercise (PSE) report (2009)

We co-led the development and implementation of the PSE.

9. Yukon First Nations Community Health Planning Fall School ‘08

Report of the injury prevention group compiled as part of the summary document.

10. Duncan, L., Butler Walker, J., McGinty, J., McConnell, L., Alton, H., and Scott, V. (2010). Fall Prevention in Yukon Communities. In: Canadian Home Care Association. Mind Body Spirit: Promising Practices in First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care; Ottawa Canada.

Substance Use, Residential School, Depression

1. Yukon First Nations Health Promotion & Planning Spring School ‘07

Report

2. Yukon First Nations Community Health Planning Fall School ‘08

Report compiled with Spring School.

While we have so far not sought funding to work specifically on these topics, the training courses identified plans for how current efforts in communities can contribute to improvements in these extremely important areas, and how working together can help.

YFN Health & Social Commission meeting in Moosehide, June 2007

CYFN General Assembly in Moosehide, July 2007

Publications

Butler Walker, J., Salmon, L., Eskes, J., Duke, S., Duncan, L., Cochrane, K. (2010). The learner becomes the teacher: A community-based diabetes prevention training programme for First Nations health workers in Northern Canada. In P. Schwarz, Reddy, P., Greaves, C., Dunbar, J., Schwarz, J. (eds.) Diabetes Prevention in Practice. Dresden: 6th World Congress on the Prevention of Diabetes, TUMAINI Institute for Prevention Management. pp. 95-107.

Butler Walker, J., M. MacLeod. Factors Influencing the Practice of Community Based Participatory Research for Health in Arctic Canada. In prep.

Knowledge Translation

Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon and the Council of Yukon First Nations. 2010. Yukon First Nations Community-Based Injury Prevention Summary. 152 pages + 2 CDs.

Kassi, N., Friendship, K., Butler Walker, J. 2010. Vuntut Gwitchin Climate Change and Health Research in Northern Yukon: What do our Changing Homelands mean for our Health? Phase 2: Knowledge into Action. 24 pp.

Butler Walker, J., Kassi, N., & Eamer, C. 2009. Food Security in Times of Change: A Policy Brief on Food Security for Northern Canada. Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon. 12pp.

Salmon, L., Eskes, J., Butler Walker, J., Kassi, N., Duke, S., Cochrane, K., Roy, R., Dykstra. Council of Yukon First Nations, University of Toronto. 2008. Do-It-Yourself: Diabetes Prevention Activities ~ A Manual for Everyone. 38 pp. ISBN 978-0-9809736-1-7.

Butler Walker, J., N. Kassi, S. Jackson, L. Duncan, K. Minich, D. Abbott, S. Duke. 2008. Yukon First Nations Health Promotion Spring School Report and DVD. 40 pp. Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon. ISBN 978-0-9809736-0-0.

Butler Walker, J., & Kassi, N. 2008. Knowledge Synthesis and Translation Workshop Report. Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon and National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health.

Clark, G. 2008. Promising Practices in Knowledge Translation for Research Users: A review of the Literature. Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon.

Who We’ve Worked With

Partners on Projects

Governments (First Nations, Territorial and Federal) Council of Yukon First Nations-Health and Social Department Yukon First Nations Health & Social Commission (Health and Social Directors from each Yukon First Nation community) Yukon Chief Medical Officer of Health Yukon College-Northern Research Institute; Public Health and Safety; Library University of Toronto (Yukon P.I. (JBW) of Dr. Kue Young’s (U of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health) CIHR Team Grant for Averting Chronic Diseases in Northern Populations) University of Saskatchewan; University of Alberta; University of Manitoba University of Toronto-Dalla Lana School of Public Health: Centre for Health Promotion (Dr. Suzanne Jackson) University of Tromso, Norway British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Unit (UBC) Safe Communities Canada University of Northern British Columbia AHRN-NT and AHRN-NU on a 3 year Tri-Territorial Health Access Fund project, focusing on identification of community health research priorities, ethics, and knowledge translation (2006-2009) CIHR Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research (NEAHR), in partnership with UBC, UVic, UNBC, and AHRN-YT, providing opportunities to engage researchers about health research priorities in the Yukon National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (UNBC) Safe Communities Whitehorse Yukon Public Health Association Yukon Workers Compensation Health and Safety Board Recreation and Parks Association of Yukon (RPAY) Social Economy Research Network of Northern Canada (SERNNoCA) (Yukon College) Indivisual Productions and Treeline Productions Eclectic Video Productions

Yukon Engagement with AHRN-YT

Council of Yukon First Nations

Yukon Chief Medical Officer of Health Yukon First Nations’ communities

Yukon First Nation Health & Social Commissioners

Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon (RPAY) Women’s Directorate (Yukon Gov. - YG)

Health Canada-Northern Region YG Dept. Health and Social Services

Skookum Jim Friendship Centre Yukon College BYTE (Bringing Youth Towards Equality) Boys and Girls Club of Whitehorse Diabetes Education Centre (Whitehorse General Hospital) YG Bureau of Statistics First Nations Health Programs (Whitehorse General Hospital) Yukon Workers Compensation Health and Safety Board Canadian Red Cross - BC/Yukon Division City of Whitehorse

National

Aboriginal Health and Human Resource Initiative

Aboriginal Women’s Health and Healing Research Group Assembly of First Nations

Klosche Tillicum- (Network Environments for Aboriginal Health

Research in BC, the Western Arctic and Yukon)

International Polar Year Canadian Polar Commission

Canadian Council on Learning AHRN-NT (now Institute for Circumpolar Health Research)

AHRN-NU (Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre)

Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge sub-committee to COSEWIC Canadian Foreign Affairs Department Elders Traditional Knowledge Ethics-Ontario

National Aboriginal Health Organization SMARTRISK

Community-Based Research Network Canada Food Secure Canada

International

Gwich’in Council International

World Wildlife Fund International

International Gwich’in Steering Committee Global Alliance Community Engaged Research

International Network of Circumpolar Health Research International Polar Year

Next Steps

Focus on developing the Arctic Institute of Community- Based Research through:

Continued work on ethics and knowledge translation Continued partnership development Continued seeking of project-specific and base funding Continued capacity building in health initiatives

AHRN-YT Biographies

Jody E. Butler Walker, M.Sc., M.A.Sc. Executive Director Email: [email protected]

EDUCATION

2006 Master of Science in Community Health Sciences (M.Sc.) University of Northern British Columbia/Yukon College, Whitehorse YT. Thesis title: What Factors Influence the Practice of Community-Based Participatory Research for Health in the Canadian Arctic?.

2003 Thinking Qualitatively 2003 Ð Summer Institute, International Institute for Qualitative Methodology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB

1985 Master of Applied Science in Environmental Engineering (M.A.Sc.) Civil Engineering Dept., University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC Thesis title: Phytoplankton Ecology in a High Arctic Polynya.

1983 Marine Toxicology/Marine Ecology Program Bamfield Marine Station, Bamfield BC

1979 Bachelor of Science (Zoology, with Distinction) (B.Sc.) University of Alberta, Edmonton AB

WORK EXPERIENCE

2006-present: Executive Director, Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon (AHRN-YT) Founder of AHRN-YT, a non-profit society established to facilitate the development of community-based health research in the Yukon, with an early focus on Yukon First Nations health priorities and capacity building. Responsibilities include building partnerships, fundraising for core and project-specific activities, facilitating board development and managing projects and finances. Focus of partnerships includes the Council of Yukon First Nations, Yukon First Nations communities, Yukon College, Yukon Territorial Government, Health Canada, universities, researchers, non-governmental organizations in the Yukon, and others.

Current AHRN-YT projects include team member on a 5 yr CIHR-funded Team Grant ‘Averting Chronic Diseases in Northern Populations’; partner on a 3 yr, Tri-Territorial Health Access funded project to develop the Arctic Health Research Networks in each Territory, with a focus on ethics and knowledge translation; partner on Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research BC/Western Arctic, and member of

Advisory Committee to this CIHR-Institute for Aboriginal Peoples’ Health initiative; partner with the National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health on a knowledge translation project, team member on a SSHRC Strategic Knowledge Cluster proposal ‘Community-Based Research: Enhancing a Pan-Canadian Network’, partner with the University of Tromso Norway on injury prevention projects.

1998 Ð 2006: Self Employed (Whitehorse, Yukon) • Conducted contract work, including research, communications and producing peer- reviewed, technical and plain language publications. • Presented detailed review of Yukon contaminants activities over past several years in Old Crow, Haines Junction, Mayo and Dawson to elders, youth and other community members, on behalf of Yukon Contaminants Committee (2005-2007); • Developed and conducted, in collaboration with the Council of Yukon First Nations, two 2-day workshops for community representatives and front line workers in the Yukon about environmental contaminants (2000, 2001); • Co-authored with Norma Kassi a booklet ‘Yukon First Nations Ask About Cancer’ on contract to the Council of Yukon First Nations and the Yukon Contaminants Committee (2003). • Produced two peer-reviewed publications (2003, 2006).

1990-1998 Head, Contaminants Unit; Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Health and Social Services, Yellowknife, NT

• Coordinated contaminants and human health research in the Northwest Territories; • Planned, developed and conducted research, as Principal Investigator, to establish an exposure baseline across NWT and Nunavut for organochlorine and metal contaminants in maternal and umbilical cord blood, incorporating a community-based approach to developing and implementing the research protocol; • Planned, developed and implemented benefit/risk communications materials about environmental contaminants and human health, in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including aboriginal organizations, federal and territorial governments and universities.

PUBLICATIONS - Peer-reviewed articles Ð first author:

• Butler Walker, J. Houseman, L. Seddon, E. McMullen, K. Tofflemire, C, Mills, A. Corriveau, J-P. Weber, A. LeBlanc, M. Walker, S. Donaldson, J. Van Oostdam. 2006. Mercury, Cadmium, Lead and Trace Elements in Maternal and Umbilical Cord Blood in Arctic Canada, Environmental Research. Vol 100, No. 3 pp. 295-318.

• Butler Walker, J., et. al. 2003. Organochlorine Levels in Maternal and Umbilical Cord Blood Plasma in Arctic Canada. Science of the Total Environment. 302: 27-52.

• Butler Walker, J. and M. MacLeod. Factors Influencing the Practice of Community- Based Participatory Health Research in the Canadian Arctic. In Prep.

AFFILIATIONS Yukon Public Health Association, Past President (2001-2006) Canadian Public Health Association, Board and Advisory Council member (2001Ð present) Assembly of First Nations Injury Prevention Committee (appointed by CYFN, 2007-2011)

Marilyn Van Bibber Associate Director Email: [email protected]

Marilyn Van Bibber is a consultant working with First Nations and Aboriginal organizations in British Columbia, Yukon and elsewhere in Canada. Marilyn began her career as a registered nurse with a certificate in nurse midwifery. She has extensive experience in Aboriginal health development including, research and program development. She specializes in community development, community-based research, community health evaluation and planning, and maternal and child health. Marilyn has 15 years experience with treaty negotiation and team management, environmental protection and other treaty related issues. Marilyn belongs to the wolf clan of the Northern Tutchone people and is a member of Selkirk First Nation at Pelly Crossing, Yukon.

Education

• 1969: diploma grade 12 FH Collins, Whitehorse, Yukon. • 1974; diploma of nursing, Royal Jubilee Hos School of Nursing, Victoria. • 1977; certificate of nurse midwifery, U of Alberta. • 1983-85; political science and sociology, Carleton University, Ottawa (transferred to UBC) • 1986 1988; political science (incomplete BA), UBC. • 1992-93; Justice Institute of B.C. o Conflict resolution, mediation skills, level 1, negotiation skills, level 1, dealing with anger, negotiation skills, level 2 • FASD Key Worker Training Level 2, 2008 • 2007 – 2011, UBC Interprofessional Continuing Education, UBC. o Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder international conference 2007 25.5 hrs o Adolescents and adults with FASD 2008, 18 hrs o International FASD research promising practices, 2009, 24 hrs o International FASD research, integrating research, policy, practice, 2011, 23 hrs • 2008, Best Practices in Aboriginal Business and Economic Development, Banff Centre. • Circumpolar Health Research annual workshop, Centre for International Health, Tromso, Norway, 2008.

Experience

o Co-chair of the Indigenous Planning Subcommittee for the International Congress on Circumpolar Health in Yellowknife, July 2009. o Member of the Board of Directors for the Canada Northwest FASD Research Network, appointed 2008. o Member of Oversight Committee to the NEARBC research network and governance committee for NEARBC/NEAHR BC WA. 2007. o Member of the Expert Panel for the National Research Consensus Conference on Children with Special Needs, August 2006. o Member of the BC Medical Services Foundation Ethic Review Board, Vancouver Foundation. 2004 – 2009. o Researched and co-wrote policies and procedures for the B.C. Medical Services Foundation for Health Research, (2000; 2002) community based ethics review committee; researched and co-wrote Inter Tribal Health Authority Research Protocol, (2005). o A member of a research team “Healthy Communities, Mothers and Children” 2002 – 2005. Developing culturally and community appropriate brief alcohol interventions for at-risk Aboriginal mothers in four Aboriginal communities. o Conducted traditional knowledge research with Northern Tutchone elders on Ddahw Ghro Habitat Protection Area, 2003, Faro Mine Closure, 2004, Van Bibber Oral History, 2004; 2000. o Developed mandate and negotiation strategy, managed negotiations, caucus process and consultations towards an urban treaty within the BC Treaty Commission process for Tsleil-Waututh Nation. o Conducted a national consultation on community-based strategies for prevention of FAS/FAE,“It Takes a Community; A Resource Manual on Community-based Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects”. o Prepared and submitted a research document on FAS for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. o Managed environmental interventions (Casino Trail and Curragh Mines, Yukon) on behalf of Selkirk First Nation, Yukon. o Negotiation of components of Selkirk Land Claim Agreement and a member of the First Nation Caucus for the Yukon Umbrella Land Claim Agreement. o Conducted four major community-based health and social needs assessments (Nisga’a Valley Health Board, Sto:lo Tribal Council, Selkirk First Nation, Tsawwassen First Nation) o Delivered over 50 babies during midwifery practicum and nursing career in northern Canada. o Founding member of the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada, the Registered Nurses Association of Yukon and the BC FAS Resource Society.

Katelyn Friendship Research Associate Email:[email protected] Education

M.A. thesis Canadian Studies-Indigenous Studies Frost Centre, University of Trent 2010 Contaminants, health and effective risk assessment and risk communication in the circumpolar North (specific to Yukon and Yukon First Nations)

CoPEH-Can Ecohealth Training Program Ecosystem Approaches to Health 2008 Canadian Community of Practice in Ecosystem Approaches to Health (International Development Research Centre, University of British Columbia, University of Guelph & Université du Québec)

B.Sc. Hons. Biology/Environmental & Resource Sciences University of Trent 2007 Courses Include: Restoration Ecology, Pollution Ecology, Methods for Evaluating Environmental Impacts, Forestry, Indigenous Environmental Studies, Aboriginal Community Development

Relevant Skills & Experience

Health and Environment Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon (2009-present) • Research Associate/Assistant Project Coordinator for Climate Change and Food Security Options project in Vuntut Gwitchin community of Old Crow, Yukon (2009/2010/2011) • Consultant for Teslin Tlingit Youth Climate Change and Food Security research project in Teslin, Yukon (2010-2011) (Capacity building and training, data analysis, proposal and report writing) • Proposal and report writing • Consultation with communities, facilitation and planning of research processes, qualitative data analysis Yukon College (2008-present) • Curriculum development (Contaminants and Mining; Contaminants and Community Health; Yukon Watershed Protection: Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science) (2008-2011) Arctic North Consulting (2010/2011) • Consultant for Community Climate Change Adaptation Planning project in Aklavik, NWT Tr’ondek Hwech’in First Nation (2009-2011) • Qualitative data analysis and writing of academic paper for Traditional Knowledge and Climate Change International Polar Year Project

Trent University (2007-present) • Research Assistant in Circumpolar Risk Communications and Assessment environment and health projects • Primary researcher on Urqsuk, Inuit perceptions and knowledge of wild and contemporary fats study • Qualitative data analysis (Traditional Knowledge and Sea Ice) • Research Assistant in Indigenous Environmental Studies • Teacher’s Assistant in Environment & Development course • Compilation of Canadian Indigenous risk-related database • Participation in the Actua’s National Aboriginal Outreach Program, (supported by CIHR) (August 2008) • Assistant with facilitation and organization of CIHR supported “A Case Study Review of Risk Assessment, Management and Communication Strategies for Contaminants in Country Foods among Circumpolar Indigenous Peoples” training workshop (June 2008) Karen Environment and Social Action Network (2003-2005) • CUSO cooperant placement with KESAN, an indigenous environmental organization in Thailand ( • Project Coordinator Assistant for community-based research and education related to community health, deforestation, hydro electric power development, community gardening and animal husbandry programs • Organised and implemented workshops and trainings concerning environmental issues with local communities living along the Thai-Burma border (2002-2005)

Organisation and Project Coordination Skills • Planning, coordinating and implementation of activities • Environmental training, leading workshops and educating local communities • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to read, understand and effectively communicate to different audiences about complex scientific information • Project coordinator assistant for Climate Change & Food Security Options project, Old Crow • Lead role in coordination, organisation and facilitation of 8th Annual Gathering of Graduate Students in Aboriginal Health conference • Report writing and editing, researching • Curriculum development • Analytical skills • Workshop facilitation • Networking • Administration, campaigning, promoting and advertising • Building staff capacity within work environment • Multi-tasking

Awards & Honours

1) Nasivvik Centre Inuit Environmental Health Scholarship 2007-2009 2) Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2008-2009 3) Northern Scientific Training Program travel award 2007-2009 4) CoPEH-Can Ecohealth Training & Awards Program 2008 5) Leslie Frost Canadian Studies Entrance Scholarship 2007-2008 6) Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Frost Centre, Trent University 2007-2008

Breanna Blottner Director of Operations Email: [email protected]

EDUCATION

University of Western Ontario 2007-2010 • Obtained a Master’s Degree in Historical Linguistics • Researched language shift attributed to technology.

University of Western Ontario 2003-2007 • Obtained and entrance scholarship • Obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Linguistic Anthropology. • Obtained minor in psychology.

International College of Applied Linguistics • Obtained my certification to teach English as a foreign language • Gained valuable experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds on their English language skills

EXPERIENCE

Director of Operations, Arctic Health Research Network-Yukon • Finance, operations, budgeting • Project Management • Knowledge Translation

Office Manager, Yukon Learn Society, Whitehorse, YT 2010 • Constructed a curriculum and taught classes • Filing, bookkeeping, customer service • Troubleshooting computer problems

Substitute Teacher, Department of Education, Whitehorse,YT 2009-2010 • Report to various schools and teach students in the absence of their regular teachers.

Tutor, Learning Disabled Association of Yukon, Whitehorse, YT Sept 2008- Jan 2010 • Provide speech therapy to children with communication disorders. • Plan private sessions using games to make learning fun.

Skills

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites including Access and Excel • I have worked with both Simply Accounting and Quickbooks, • Experienced with iLife suites including Pages, Numbers and billings programs. • Able to troubleshoot computer problems • I have successfully written proposals for government and community grants • Data collection and analysis • Transcription of recorded conversation in English and IPA • Trained in stress, burnout and fatigue • Trained in psychosocial first aid

Awards

• Master’s Degree - 2010 • Bachelor of Arts - 2007 • Entrance Scholarship to Western University - 2003 • Arts Huron Diploma- 2003 • Ontario Secondary School Diploma- 2003 • Standard First Aid- 2009 • Introduction to Public Health Certificate - 2011

Norma Kassi Co-Founder, AHRN-YT

Norma was raised and educated in Old Crow, Yukon; she is Vuntut Gwitchin (People of the Lakes) and a member of the Wolf Clan. It was in Old Crow flats where Norma gained her depth of traditional, scientific and ecological knowledge. Her grandfather, mother and the land were the bearers of this invaluable, ancient knowledge, which was passed on to Norma at a very young age. This knowledge has woven her into the land of the Vuntut Gwitchin and has given her an understanding of her homelands and the beings in which the land is shared.

Encouraged by her Elders, Norma entered politics shortly after leaving school. In 1985, Norma was elected into Yukon’s Legislative Assembly as Member for Vuntut Gwitchin, a position she held until 1992. During this time, Norma was selected by the Elders of the Gwitchin Nation to act as a spokesperson on behalf of the Gwitchin people for the preservation of the Porcupine Caribou Herd. This Caribou Herd is the lifeblood of her people, and were (and still are) at risk due to proposed oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

As a spokesperson, Norma traveled extensively throughout the world educating many people about the critical and inseparable relationship of the Gwitchin people and the Porcupine Caribou Herd, and the devastating effects of the proposed industrial development. Her audiences have included grassroots Americans, United States Congressional members and Senators, World leaders, Aboriginal communities through out the Arctic and across North America, as well as appearances on Canadian, American and British network television. Stemming from this work, Norma had the opportunity to produce, direct and narrate three documentary films. Today Norma still finds herself educating people about the critical and inseparable relationship between the Gwitchin and the land.

In 1991 Norma was awarded the National Wildlife Federation’s Conservation and Achievement Award, and the Goldman Prize in 2002, one of the world’s highest profile awards for Conservation. In 2004, Norma was chosen by the Governor General of Canada the Right Honorable Adrienne Clarkson to travel with a National delegation of dignitaries on a speaking tour through out Russia.

From 1995 to1998 Norma was the Environmental Manager for the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN). In this capacity, she headed the CYFN Northern Contaminants Program, and was Chair of Centre for Indigenous People Nutrition and Environment - CINE. The latter was with Dr. Harriet Kuhnlein, Director of CINE at McGill University, where Norma initiated and conducted dietary studies of Yukon First Nations in collaboration with Dr. Kuhnlein and others.

Norma’s insight and commitment encouraged her participation on a number of boards and councils: David Suzuki Foundation (1990 Ð 1992); World Wildlife Fund (1996 Ð 2000); Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (1998 Ð 2001); and the Alaska Wilderness League (1993 Ð2007). Currently Norma continues her work on the International Gwich’in Steering Committee whose mandate is to fight for the Preservation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in North Eastern Alaska.

Norma achieved her Mediation & Negotiation training at the BC Justice Institute. As a Consultant, Norma developed and facilitated numerous workshops throughout Canada. Workshop topics included health and the environment, policy development, Conflict Resolution, Communications /Advocacy, Community Development, Cross Cultural Awareness and Violence against Women and Children. She also facilitated workshops across the country for the Government of Canada for policy development on the Commemoration Initiative in Honoring and Recognizing the Survivors of Residential Schools.

Norma’s work is global in perspective and she has gained a greater understanding of the overall effects of the vast changes to the people of the Arctic and their environments, witnessing first hand the increase of chronic diseases. For these reasons Norma is now focusing on the health of the Arctic’s Indigenous Peoples.

Norma co-founded AHRN-YT and worked as Co-Director until she was elected Chief of Vuntut Gwitchin in November 2010. As Co-Director of the Arctic Health Research Network Ð Yukon, Norma was engaged in Community Based Health Research, particularly with Yukon First Nations. This work included identifying health research priorities with Yukon First Nations communities, capacity building and training of First Nations in the area of health, and developing ways to translate knowledge that is inclusive, sustainable and beneficial to the communities.

It is Norma’s strong traditional values and early years on the land which have provided her with the ability to be able to remain true to her people, their culture and way of life, while living in the twenty- first century and traveling internationally to act as an advocate and voice, not only for her people, but also for Aboriginal peoples across the globe.

Andrew Robulack Technical Solutions Consultant Email: [email protected]

Andrew Robulack is a pioneer in the Yukon web industry with over 14 years of experience in the field of Internet communications. His client list includes all levels of government, many not-for-profit organizations, and a wide range of small businesses, and he provides a broad yet cohesive set of skills that are critical to the development and implementation of successful online business strategies. Andrew’s business efforts have focused on the planning, design, development, and deployment of web sites. He also offers technical support to some clients who operate Mac computers.

As a journalist, Andrew has written several different columns for both the Yukon News and CBC Radio. His current column, Geek Life, runs every Friday in the Yukon News.

In 2000, Andrew received the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Yukon from the Business Development Bank of Canada in recognition of his pioneering work in advancing the early stages of web media in the Yukon.

Andrew attended the Film and Video program at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, the Writing and Literature program at Capilano College and the Masters in Professional Communication program at Royal Roads University.